When considering buying a Christmas gift for a loved one, my first question is not Is this something I would want?
I learned this at an earlier agewhenmy mum unwrapped a DVD copy of Kill Bill. She feigned enthusiasm until the film concluded, before delivering the verdict What a load of rubbish. I probably shouldve bought a hair styler.
But if I were to gift someone shares this Christmas, the best question I could ask belies the usual logic. Would I want to own this? is the best question I could ask.
Unilever (LSE: ULVR) (NYSE: UL.US) is a company Id be glad to consider as an investment, say, for a family member. It is a business that Id likely be happy to buy and hold myself for 10 years or more. Its products such as Dove, Persil, Sure and Walls fulfil persistent needs to consumers around the globe. They are repeat purchases which become more valuable over time.
Im encouraged by Unilevers 15% operating margins indicative that customers will pay a little extra for its brands. The company trades for around 16 times operating cash flow, and while this is not cheap, Id hardly call it expensive for a company of Unilevers quality.
Im expecting Unilevers margins to improve if, as expected, its brands continue to command higher prices in fast-growing markets such as India and Brazil. Unilever is a company that could underpin eitheraportfolio of your own or a family members for years to come.
Unileveris one of five shares in theFTSE 100that our top analysts have highlighted in our special report “5 Shares To Retire On“. To find out the reasons behind their inclusion, and the names of the other four shares, simplyclick hereto have it delivered completely free to your inbox.
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Mark Stones has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK owns shares of Unilever. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
